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GenRx Doxycycline Capsules

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Generic Name: Doxycycline hydrochloride
Product Name: GenRx Doxycycline Capsules

Indication

Doxycycline is indicated for the treatment of a number of infections including:
– atypical pneumonia
– typhus
– Q fever
– STDs including Chlamydia, granuloma inguinale and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
– relapsing fever
– trachoma
– cholera
In the event that penicillin is contraindicated (usually due to allergy) Doxycycline can be used in the treatment of the following diseases:
– syphilis
– gonorrhoea
In the event that the causative organisms are shown to be susceptible, Doxycycline may also be used in the treatment of:
– chronic bronchitis exacerbation
– acute bacterial sinusitis
– Streptococcal throat infections to prevent rheumatic fever
– chronic bacterial prostatitis
Doxycycline is also used in conjunction with chloroquine for the prevention of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
Doxycycline may be useful in the treatment of intestinal amoebiasis and is often used in the treatment of acne.

Action

Doxycycline is from the tetracycline family of antibiotics. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic, meaning it has activity against a wide variety of gram positive and gram negative organisms. Rather than killing bacteria, Doxycycline immobilises them and prevents them from further replicating by inhibiting their production of proteins.
Doxycycline is active against a number of different bacteria, including those responsible for:
– atypical pneumonia, including psittacosis (bird flu)
– Chlamydia
– gonorrhoea
– cholera
– plague
– syphilis
– brucellosis
– bartonellosis
and a number of other bacteria.
Doxycycline is also active against the parasites that cause malaria, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum.
In some cases, Doxycycline may have activity against the following bacteria, but it shouldnâ??t be prescribed until they have been shown to be susceptible:
– Streptococcus pneumoniae
– Haemophilus influenzae
– other Streptococcus species

Dose advice

Doxycycline capsules must be swallowed whole with at least 100ml of liquid. They should be administered in the morning rather than at bedtime, when the patient can remain upright for 30 minutes.
Adults and children over the age of 8 who are >50kg
– 200mg on the first day (two 100mg doses administered 12 hours apart)
– then 100mg/day as a single dose or two 50mg doses
– 100mg every 12 hours is recommended for more severe infections (eg: chronic UTI)
– treatment should continue for 24-48 hours after the symptoms of infection have subsided
– although Doxycycline is not the drug of choice for the treatment of Streptococcal throat infections, if it is used treatment should be continued for no less than 10 days
Severe acne
– 50mg/day for 12 weeks
– this dose demonstrates some efficacy in some patients
Malaria prophylaxis
– 100mg once daily
– commence 2 days before entering malarious area, continue whilst in the area and for 2 weeks after leaving
– maximum time recommended is 8 weeks
Uncomplicated gonorrhoea
– 100mg twice daily
– continue for 5-7 days
– resistance is not uncommon so monitoring for efficacy should be carried out throughout therapy
Primary and secondary syphilis
– 300mg/day in divided doses
– continue for at least 10 days
Louse borne typhus
– single oral dose of 100mg or 200mg, depending on severity
Prevention of scrub typhus
– 200mg as a single dose
Children over the age of 8 but <50kg
– dose should be calculated at 2mg/kg

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

– photosensitivity including rash and exaggerated sunburn response
– rash
– hives
– discolouration of nails
– nausea
– loss of appetite
– vomiting
– trouble swallowing
– diarrhoea
– abdominal pain
– tooth discolouration in babies and young children
– bulging fontanelles in neonates

Uncommon side effects

– stomach upset
– colitis â?? if diarrhoea is severe and persistent, cease Doxycycline and see your doctor
– dermatitis
– joint and muscle aches
– oedema
– headache
– confusion
– loss of taste
– altered sensation
– conjunctivitis
– tinnitus
– depression
– anxiety
– hallucinations
Allergic reaction is uncommon, but the symptoms are important to know and should be reported to your doctor:
– hives
– trouble breathing
– wheezing
– increased heart rate
– low blood pressure (feeling lightheaded, fainting)
– widespread purple rash


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For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 1 January, 1970


Created by: myVMC